Katharina Schmidt (nee Reimer)
1905 - 2008
On Friday November 14, 2008 at Salem Home, Katharina Schmidt age 103 years went to meet her Saviour face to face, whom she so much longed to see. We are left to mourn, but rejoice in the gift that God gave us in the legacy of our dear mom. We watched her health deteriorate over the past few years, especially after her first stroke in 2003.
Mom was born on July 21, 1905 to Peter and Margaret Reimer in Blumenfeld, MB. At a young age she was baptized upon the confession of her faith and joined the Old Colony Church. Mom became a Charter member of the Zion Mennonite Church. It was always mom’s greatest hearts desire that all her family would come to know and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mom and dad farmed near Blumenfeld until they retired to the village of Blumenfeld and later moved to Winkler. After dad’s passing in 1974, Mom lived in her home on 10th Street in Winkler until she was no longer able to take care of her garden, a big yard and house. Mom moved to the Heritage Apartment and enjoyed her friends in her new home.
Mom was very lonely and found a special friend in Uncle John (Dad’s brother) they were married and enjoyed a number of years together in companionship. After his passing, mom remained in her apartment till age 95. She would continue to entertain friends and family for dinners or “faspa”, her famous molasses cookies or “Brown cookies” would always go over well, she also enjoyed sending cookies with us when we left for home.
For health in reasons in 2001, she moved to Salem Home. Mom enjoyed her new home so much that she mentioned a few weeks after she moved to her new home that “Now I don’t mind if I get to be 100”. She never complained and appreciated everything we or other people did for her and would always say “DANKSCHOEN”. At times when I visited her and we had not prayed together, before I’d leave she would say “Neil, you forgot something,” we would pray and she would recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Our family will miss mom greatly, especially her contagious smile that always made our day. Oma always had a unique way of communicating with her grandchildren and great-grand children, who also had great affection for her tender love and care. Everyone knew they were loved and appreciated which she expressed by holding your hand and not wanting to let go.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her daughter, Tina and Dave Bergen of Morden, her 2 sons John and Tina, Neil and Helen both of Winkler; daughters-in-law, Mary Schmidt of Winkler and Marie Schmidt of Calgary, AB; 20 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren as well as by her step-children, John and Tina Schmidt of Morden, Anna and Henry Guenther of Mexico, Tina and Martin Barkman of Winkler, Henry and Helen Schmidt of Winnipeg and Betty Paetkau of Steinbach.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Peter Schmidt in 1974, by her second husband, John Schmidt in 1996, one son in infancy, her son, Isaac in 1991 and her son, Peter in 2008, one great-grand-son, Lindsay, one great-great grandson in infancy and stepsons, Isaac and Jake Schmidt.
Funeral service was on Wednesday November 19, 2008 at 11:00 am at Zion Mennonite Church. Interment followed at Chortitz Old Colony Mennonite Church Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Salem Home especially Cottonwood Staff for their excellent care given to mom in the past 7 years. Thank you to Wiebe Funeral Home for their compassionate and professional services. THANK YOU to all our friends and family for your prayers, flowers and cards. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Katharina’s memory to either the Salem Foundation Inc 165 15th St. Winkler, MB R6W 1T8 or the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan Box 778 Winkler, MB R6W 4A8.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements.